Chris Connor - Chris Connor (Hd Remastered)

Styles: Vocal
Year: 1956/2018
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:46
Size: 94,9 MB
Art: Front

(1:54)  1. I Get a Kick out of You
(3:17)  2. Something to Live For
(3:11)  3. Get out of Town
(3:51)  4. Where Are You?
(2:18)  5. Anything Goes
(3:28)  6. When the Wind Was Green
(3:47)  7. He Was Too Good to Me
(2:51)  8. You Make Me Feel so Young
(3:50)  9. Everytime
(2:32) 10. Way out There
(2:47) 11. My April Heart
(2:14) 12. Almost Like Being in Love
(2:04) 13. Circus (Bonus Track)
(2:35) 14. Flying Home (Bonus Track)

Stunningly repackaged, remastered, and featuring new liner notes by leading jazz writers, the Warner Jazz Masters Series includes best sellers as well as rare, sought-after gems. The first jazz vocal LP ever released on Atlantic Records, Chris Connor's self-titled album is one of her best (among considerable competition). Connor's coarse, throaty tone, sweet phrasing, and unerring rhythm were peaking during the late '50s, and the results are delightful tweaks of the standards "Anything Goes" and "Almost Like Being in Love." With similarly excellent results, Connor also transforms a couple of Sinatra's evergreens: "I Get a Kick Out of You," taken at breakneck pace with a small group including pianist John Lewis, bassist Oscar Pettiford, and drummer Connie Kay; "Where Are You"; and "You Make Me Feel So Young," with a ten-piece featuring tenor Zoot Sims and bassist Milt Hinton.
By Editorial Reviews https://www.amazon.com/Connor-Chris/dp/B0009QQ6I0

Chris Connor (Hd Remastered)

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Modern Jazz Quartet - The Montreux Years

Styles: Jazz, Bop, Cool
Year: 2023
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 76:33
Size: 177,7 MB
Art: Front

( 5:13) 1. Ko-Ko
(15:56) 2. A Day in Dubrovnik
( 4:51) 3. Django
( 7:52) 4. Blues in A Minor
( 4:12) 5. Bags' Groove
( 4:18) 6. The Golden Striker
( 8:27) 7. One Never Knows
( 8:38) 8. Le Cannet
( 5:16) 9. Nature Boy
( 6:53) 10. Rockin' in Rhythm
( 4:50) 11. True Blues

A showcase of some of The Modern Jazz Quartet’s most iconic Montreux Jazz Festival live performances, recorded between 1985 and 1993!

The audio has Expertly restored and remastered in superlative HD audio; The Montreux Years is released on superior audiophile heavy weight vinyl, MQA quality CD and in HD digital. The release includes brand new liner notes and rare photos from his Montreux shows.

The Montreux Years is released as part of a brand new Montreux Jazz Festival and BMG collection series “The Montreux Years”. The collections will uncover legendary performances by the world’s most iconic artists alongside rare and never-before-released recordings from the festival’s rich 57-year history, remastered in superlative audio. Each collection will be accompanied by exclusive liner notes and previously unseen photography.
https://www.amazon.ca/Modern-Jazz-Quartet-Montreux-Years/dp/B0C4Q8YFPJ

Personnel: John Lewis - piano, Milt Jackson - vibraphone, Percy Heath - double bass, Connie Kay - drums

Modern Jazz Quartet: The Montreux Years

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The Swingle Singers, The Modern Jazz Quartet - Place Vendome

Styles: Jazz, Bop, Cool
Year: 1966
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 37:09
Size: 86,4 MB
Art: Front

(4:17)  1. Little David's Fugue
(5:40)  2. Air For G String
(3:32)  3. Vendôme
(6:33)  4. Musikalisches Opfer Bwv 1079: No.8 Ricercar A 6
(5:04)  5. When I Am Laid In Earth (Dido's Lament)
(4:51)  6. Alexander's Fugue
(7:10)  7. Three Windows

For a short time in the mid-'60s, the Modern Jazz Quartet were working primarily in Europe and recording for the French division of Philips, with the results coming out in the United States on the MJQ's regular label, Atlantic. There was only one exception to this rule: Place Vendôme, which comprised the collaboration of the MJQ with the Swingle Singers, and which appeared in the U.S. on Philips' American subsidiary through Mercury Records. For Philips, the collaboration must have seemed like an inevitability; Ward Swingle had sung with the Double Six of Paris, which had backed up Dizzy Gillespie who, of course, had led the big band out of which the MJQ was formed in 1952. The Swingle Singers had been jazzing up the music of Johann Sebastian Bach since at least 1963 with phenomenal success, and while John Lewis wasn't quite as into the Bach bag in 1966 that he would be later, his MJQ compositions had long been taken up in European devices such as fugue and the renaissance Canzona.

Although Swingle and Lewis agreed to collaborate backstage after an MJQ concert in Paris in 1964, it wasn't until 1966 that the two groups found themselves in Paris at the same time. The resultant album, Place Vendôme, was a huge international success commercially, with the track "Aria (Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D major, BWV 1068)"though then popularly called "Air on a G String"charting strongly in Europe and the album easily earning its keep in the U.S., though it did not chart there. Not everyone was pleased; jazz critics savaged the album, the consensus being that a pop vocal group like the Swingle Singers had no business making an album with an exalted jazz group like the MJQ.
~ Uncle Dave Lewis https://www.allmusic.com/album/place-vend%C3%B4me-mw0000521943


The Swingle Singers: Jeanette Baucomont – soprano; Christiane Legrand – soprano; Alice Herald – alto; Claudine Meunier – alto; Ward Swingle – tenor, arranger; Claude Germain – tenor; Jean Cussac – bass; José Germain – bass

The Modern Jazz Quartet: John Lewis – piano; Milt Jackson – vibraphone; Percy Heath – double bass; Connie Kay – drums

Place Vendome

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Paul Desmond - Pure Desmond

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1975
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:34
Size: 134,3 MB
Art: Front

(4:33) 1. Squeeze Me
(4:54) 2. I'm Old Fashioned
(4:22) 3. Nuages
(3:38) 4. Why Shouldn't I
(3:41) 5. Everything I Love
(4:30) 6. Warm Valley
(4:09) 7. Till The Clouds Roll By
(5:10) 8. Mean To Me
(3:04) 9. Theme From Mash
(6:21) 10. Wave
(4:47) 11. Nuages (Alt. Take)
(4:05) 12. Squeeze Me (Alt. Take)
(5:13) 13. Till The Clouds Roll By (Alt. Take)

With a dry tone, and unhurried phrasing definitive of the emergent West Coast Cool a relaxed alternative to the edgier hard bop coming from New York alto saxophonist Paul Desmond had already made a name for himself with pianist Dave Brubeck's quartet on the legendary Time Out (Columbia, 1959). Desmond also wrote the tune that became Brubeck's signature, "Take Five," and, while he passed away too young at the age of 52 from lung cancer, he's left behind a relatively small but significant legacy of recordings that have sometimes become overlooked with the passing of time.

Pure Desmond was only one of two albums the saxophonist made for CTI (though he did record two albums with Creed Taylor for A&M, before the producer started his own label), but it's the absolute winner of the two. A small group album featuring the same three bonus tracks as a previous CD version, with CTI Masterworks' warm remastering and beautiful mini-vinyl-like soft digipaks, it represents a welcome return to print of an album that, despite alcoholism and heavy smoking, finds Desmond in great form just three years before his death in 1977.

With label staple Ron Carter swinging comfortably with Modern Jazz Quartet and longtime Desmond musical cohort, drummer Connie Kay, Pure Desmond stands as one of the altoist's best records as cool as a calming breeze on a summer's day and as dry as a good martini. The album blend of standards ranging from Duke Ellington to Antonio Carlos Jobim also features the tremendously overlooked Ed Bickert, a Toronto, Canada native whose uncharacteristically warm-toned Fender Telecaster had already been heard in the company of fellow Canadians like flautist Moe Kaufman, and bandleaders Phil Nimmons and Rob McConnell, but whose star mysteriously never rose as it deserved, amongst peers like Joe Pass, Herb Ellis and, in particular, Jim Hall.

The tempo never gets past medium, but there's a simmering energy on some of the material, in particular the Jerome Kern chestnut, "Till the Clouds Roll By," heard here in two versions: the original album version, where Bickert's solo is the height of linear invention and occasionally bluesy bend; and a slightly longer alternate take where he builds a solo filled with rich voicings and single note phrases constantly accompanied with periodic chordal injections. The mix and overall tone of the alternate take is a little rawer, with Carter's bass a more visceral punch in the lower register.

Light Latin rhythms also define the session, with the by-then-popular "Theme from M*A*S*H" given a light bossa treatment, as is Jobim's "Wave," which closes the original album on a graceful note, but here acts as a gateway to alternate takes including the ambling opener, "Squeeze Me," and the Django Reinhardt classic, "Nuages," that skips the guitar/sax duo intro and heads straight into an ensemble reading.

With a supportive group that clearly gets the value of less over more, the aptly titled Pure Desmond stands, alongside The Paul Desmond Quartet Live (A&M/Horizon, 1975)his other album with Bickert as the pinnacle of this West Coast cool progenitor's career.
By John Kelman https://www.allaboutjazz.com/pure-desmond-paul-desmond-cti-masterworks-review-by-john-kelman

Personnel: Paul Desmond: alto saxophone; Ed Bickert: electric guitar; Ron Carter: bass; Connie Kay: drums; Don Sebesky: musical supervision.

Pure Desmond

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Milt Jackson - The Ballad Artistry of Milt Jackson

Styles: Vibraphone Jazz
Year: 1959
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 38:18
Size: 88,0 MB
Art: Front

(2:46)  1. The Cylinder
(3:02)  2. Makin' Whoopee
(4:50)  3. Alone Together
(4:29)  4. Tenderly
(4:03)  5. Don't Worry 'Bout Me
(3:38)  6. Nuages
(3:40)  7. Deep in a Dream
(4:39)  8. I'm a Fool to Want You
(3:45)  9. The Midnight Sun Will Never Set
(3:23) 10. Tomorrow

Vibraphonist Milt Jackson's enormous capacity for invention percolates throughout the sumptuous settings on the "with strings" date, The Ballad Artistry of Milt Jackson. Jackson and the large string section, masterfully arranged and conducted by Quincy Jones, mesh beautifully. Equally critical, the rhythm section is superbly integrated in the arrangements, underpinning the billows of violins and cellos with a distinct jazz pulse. 

Above all, Jackson is himself, bringing his consistently flawless phrasing and subtle, but ever-present, blues feeling to his role as featured solist. Bassist Milt Hinton, drummer Connie Kay, guitarist Barry Galbraith, and pianist Jimmy Jones make up the rhythm section for this 1960 session. ~Jim Todd https://www.allmusic.com/album/ballad-artistry-of-milt-jackson-vibrations-mw0000666544

Personnel: Milt Jackson (vibraphone); Quincy Jones (conductor); Don Hammond (flute); Romeo Penque (reeds); Gloria Agostini (harp); Jimmy Jones (piano); Barry Gailbraith, Chuck Wayne (guitar); Bill Crow, Milt Hinton (bass); Connie Kay (drums).

The Ballad Artistry of Milt Jackson

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Sonny Stitt - Stitt Plays Bird

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1964
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 44:39
Size: 104,5 MB
Art: Front

(3:16)  1. Now's the Time
(3:04)  2. My Little Suede Shoes
(4:18)  3. Parker's Mood
(3:15)  4. Constellation
(2:39)  5. Au Privave
(6:23)  6. Hootie Blues
(4:34)  7. Confirmation
(4:52)  8. Ko-Ko
(4:49)  9. Yardbird Suite
(3:46) 10. Scrapple from the Apple
(3:38) 11. Ornithology

Sonny Stitt forged his own approach to playing bebop out of the sound and style of Charlie Parker, so this tribute album was a very logical project. With fine support from guitarist Jim Hall, pianist John Lewis, bassist Richard Davis, and drummer Connie Kay, Stitt performs ten Parker compositions, plus Jay McShann's "Hootie Blues"; these renditions of "Now's the Time" and "Yardbird Suite" were previously unreleased. Stitt, who mastered bebop and could play hot licks in his sleep, is in top form on such numbers as "Constellation," "Confirmation," and "Ko-Ko," making this an essential item for straight-ahead jazz fans (although the prolific altoist would record eight other albums in 1963 alone). ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/stitt-plays-bird-mw0000195617

Personnel: Sonny Stitt – alto saxophone; John Lewis – piano; Jim Hall – guitar; Richard Davis – bass; Connie Kay – drums

Stitt Plays Bird

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Paul Desmond - Glad To Be Unhappy

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1965
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:25
Size: 130,0 MB
Art: Front

(5:44)  1. Glad to Be Unhappy
(7:17)  2. Poor Butterfly
(6:23)  3. Stranger In Town
(4:25)  4. A Taste of Honey
(5:23)  5. Any Other Time
(4:41)  6. Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo
(6:18)  7. Angel Eyes
(6:15)  8. By the River Sainte Marie
(4:30)  9. All Across The City
(5:26) 10. All Through The Night

Even though Desmond was kidding when he described himself as the world's slowest alto player, this record bears out the kernel of truth within the jest. Here, Desmond set out to make a record of love songs and torch ballads, so the tempos are very slow to medium, the mood is of wistful relaxation, and the spaces between the notes grow longer. At first glance, Desmond may seem only peripherally involved with the music-making, keeping emotion at a cool, intellectual arms' length, yet his exceptionally pure tone and ruminative moods wear very well over the long haul. Again, Jim Hall is his commiserator and partner, and the guitarist gets practically as much space to unwind as the headliner; the solo on "Angel Eyes" is an encyclopedia of magnificent chording and single-string eloquence. Gene Wright returns on bass, spelled by Gene Cherico on "Poor Butterfly," and Connie Kay's brush-dominated drum work is pushed even further into the background. A lovely recording, though not the best album in the Desmond/Hall collaboration. ~ Richard S.Ginell https://www.allmusic.com/album/glad-to-be-unhappy-mw000045501

Personnel:  Paul Desmond - alto saxophone; Jim Hall - guitar; Gene Cherico, Eugene Wright  - bass; Connie Kay - drums

Glad To Be Unhappy

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The Modern Jazz Quartet - Blues At Carnegie Hall

Styles: Jazz, Bop, Cool 
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:23
Size: 95,6 MB
Art: Front

(7:47)  1. Pyramid [Blues For Junior]
(4:56)  2. The Cylinder
(4:28)  3. Really True Blues
(5:39)  4. Ralph's New Blues
(4:09)  5. Monterey Mist
(3:56)  6. Home
(6:12)  7. Blues Milanese l
(4:13)  8. Bag's Groove

Blues at Carnegie Hall is a live Atlantic set from 1966, with the Modern Jazz Quartet performing eight blues-based compositions. In addition to such familiar pieces as the inevitable "Bags' Groove," "Ralph's New Blues" (dedicated to jazz critic Ralph Gleason), and "The Cylinder," there are a few newer pieces (including "Home," which is similar to Lee Morgan's hit "The Sidewinder") included for variety. This predictable but consistently swinging set is particularly recommended to fans of vibraphonist Milt Jackson. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/blues-at-carnegie-hall-mw0000318716

Personnel: Milt Jackson - vibraphone; John Lewis - piano; Percy Heath - bass; Connie Kay - drums

Blues At Carnegie Hall

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Paul Desmond & Jim Hall - Bossa Antigua

Styles: Saxophone And Guitar Jazz
Year: 1964
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:27
Size: 137,8 MB
Art: Front

(4:47)  1. Bossa Antigua
(5:07)  2. Night Has A Thousand Eyes
(4:37)  3. O Gato
(5:41)  4. Samba Cantina
(4:34)  5. Curação Doloroso
(6:22)  6. Ship Without A Sail
(4:33)  7. Aliança
(6:17)  8. Girl From East 9th Street
(7:21)  9. Night Has A Thousand Eyes (alt tk)
(5:09) 10. Samba Cepeda
(4:54) 11. O Gato (alt tk)

Bossa Antigua picks up the samba-based rim shots of drummer Connie Kay on Take Ten and tries to make a whole new record out of them. While the title track duplicates the original percolating groove of "El Prince," other tracks like "Samba Cantina" revert to a typical bossa nova rhythm of the period, which leads one to conclude that "bossa antigua" is merely whatever Desmond says it is. Of the album's two non-originals, "The Night Has a Thousand Eyes," of course, is made-to-order for Desmond's wistful, sophisticated temperament, and he delivers exactly what a Desmond devotee would expect and love; and "A Ship Without a Sail" has some memorable off-the-cuff solo ideas. Jim Hall is around again to lend subtle rhythm support and low-key savvy in his solos, and like many Desmond companions of this period, he makes a fine sparring partner in the contrapuntal exchanges. The Brubeck Quartet's Gene Wright again lends a sturdy hand on bass. The playing is wonderful throughout, though just missing the full-throttle inspiration of Take Ten. ~ Richard S.Ginell https://www.allmusic.com/album/bossa-antigua-mw0000238995

Personnel:  Paul Desmond – alto saxophone; Jim Hall – guitar; Gene Cherico (track 8), Eugene Wright (tracks 1-7 & 9-11) – bass; Connie Kay – drums

Bossa Antigua

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Dick Katz - Piano & Pen

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 38:06
Size: 88,0 MB
Art: Front

(5:14)  1. Timonium
(4:30)  2. Aurora
(4:34)  3. Duologue No. 1
(4:46)  4. Glad To Be Unhappy
(3:22)  5. Round Trip
(6:56)  6. Afternoon In Paris
(4:07)  7. Ain't Misbehavin'
(4:34)  8. Scrapple From The Apple

A versatile pianist and arranger, Dick Katz was responsible for many stimulating and memorable recordings through the years, often as an important sideman and/or producer. He studied at the Peabody Institute, the Manhattan School of Music, and Juilliard, in addition to taking piano lessons from Teddy Wilson. In the 1950s, he picked up important experience as a member of the house rhythm section of the Café Bohemia, with the groups of Ben Webster and Kenny Dorham, the Oscar Pettiford big band, and later with Carmen McRae. Katz was part of the popular J.J. Johnson/Kai Winding Quintet (1954-1955) and Orchestra USA, and participated on Benny Carter's classic Further Definitions album. He freelanced throughout much of his career and was a guiding force behind some of Helen Merrill's finest recordings. Katz, who played with Roy Eldridge and Lee Konitz starting in the late '60s, co-founded Milestone Records in 1966 with Orrin Keepnews. In the 1990s, Dick Katz worked both as a pianist and an arranger with the American Jazz Orchestra and Loren Schoenberg's big band. Unfortunately, he did not recorded all that frequently as a leader, cutting fairly obscure dates for Atlantic (1957 and 1959), Bee Hive (1984), and Reservoir (1992), but the jazz world was well aware of his talents. Dick Katz died in Manhattan in November 2009 at the age of 85. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/artist/dick-katz-mn0000821321/biography

Personnel:  Piano – Dick Katz; Bass – Joe Benjamin; Drums – Connie Kay; Guitar – Chuck Wayne, Jimmy Raney

Piano & Pen

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Milt Jackson Sextet - Invitation

Styles: Vibraphone Jazz
Year: 1962
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:15
Size: 116,5 MB
Art: Front

(3:54)  1. Invitation
(5:14)  2. Too Close For Comfort
(4:27)  3. Ruby, My Dear (take 6)
(4:20)  4. Ruby, My Dear (take 5)
(6:33)  5. The Sealer
(6:54)  6. Poom-A-Loom
(4:00)  7. Stella By Starlight
(5:53)  8. Ruby
(3:58)  9. None Shall Wander (take 8)
(3:59) 10. None Shall Wander (take 6)

Once in while, an audiophile reissue can make the listener realize that what seemed like a good, solid record is better than that. If I had been asked to evaluate Invitation before hearing this release, I would’ve said it was a fairly typical early-60s hard-bop record, led by the great vibraphonist Milt Jackson. I might have added that it suffers from neither the overly careful approach that plagued much of the Modern Jazz Quartet’s output, nor from the opposite extreme, of simply blowing long solos on overly familiar standards, something Jackson has done more than enough of in his time. The success of Invitation owes on both counts to the presence of trumpeter Kenny Dorham and alto saxophonist Jimmy Heath. Each contributes not only fine solos, but a couple of nifty arrangements. But what this listener had not fully appreciated from earlier releases is the fantastically subtle interplay of the rhythm section: Tommy Flanagan, piano, Ron Carter, bass, and Connie Heath on drums. On this remastered LP, one hears every nuance with delicious clarity, from the crackle of Kay’s cymbals to the big, fat sound of Carter’s walking lines. Rarely have Jackson’s uniquely swinging vibes been heard in a more sympathetic setting. ~ Duke Baker http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/milt-jackson-sextet-invitation/

Personnel:  Milt Jackson – vibes;  Kenny Dorham, Virgil Jones (tracks 2 & 6) - trumpet;  Jimmy Heath - tenor saxophone (tracks 1, 3-5 & 7-10);  Tommy Flanagan - piano;  Ron Carter - bass;  Connie Kay - drums

Invitation

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The Modern Jazz Quartet - Topsy: This One's For Basie

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:59
Size: 121.3 MB
Styles: Contemporary jazz
Year: 1985/2002
Art: Front

[4:09] 1. Reunion Blues
[5:03] 2. Nature Boy
[4:40] 3. Topsy Ii
[8:27] 4. D And E (Retake 1, Master)
[6:46] 5. Valeria
[5:51] 6. Milano
[8:16] 7. Le Cannet
[9:44] 8. D And E (Alternate Take)

Bass – Percy Heath; Drums – Connie Kay;Piano – John Lewis; Vibraphone – Milt Jackson. Recorded at RCA Recording Studios, New York City, June 3rd & 4th 1985.

Despite the title of this CD, the music on this 1985 studio set from The Modern Jazz Quartet is not a program of Count Basie tunes (with the exception of "Topsy") although Basie apparently liked the John Lewis composition "D and E." The other unrelated music is highlighted by an unaccompanied feature for vibraphonist Milt Jackson ("Nature Boy"), "Reunion Blues" and three more complex pieces from pianist John Lewis. Overall this CD gives listeners a fine example of the music of The MJQ during the 1980s. ~Scott Yanow

Topsy: This One's For Basie mc
Topsy: This One's For Basie zippy

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John Pizzarelli - My Blue Heaven

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:19
Size: 135.8 MB
Styles: Guitar & vocal jazz
Year: 1990/2008
Art: Front

[4:00] 1. My Blue Heaven
[3:46] 2. I'm An Errand Boy For Rhythm
[3:22] 3. It Could Happen To You
[8:02] 4. Oh, Lady Be Good
[2:32] 5. The Touch Of Your Lips
[4:05] 6. Can't Take You Nowhere
[2:51] 7. Take My Smile
[3:02] 8. That's What
[2:42] 9. Stray Horn
[2:45] 10. Best Man
[3:24] 11. Oh Me, Oh My, Oh Gosh
[3:10] 12. Don't Get Around Much Anymore
[3:16] 13. Gee Baby, Ain't I Good To You
[4:12] 14. Passion Flower
[4:25] 15. Zoot Walked In Morning Fun
[3:37] 16. Candy

Just prior to signing with RCA/Novus, John Pizzarelli recorded two sets for Chesky that featured him playing in the swing style that he would soon make quite popular. Although joined by all-stars (pianist Dave McKenna, bassist Milt Hinton, drummer Connie Kay, his father, guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, and flugelhornist Clark Terry) rather than his regular trio, Pizzarelli's likable vocals and relaxed guitar solos are not overshadowed. In fact, this is a delightful date, with memorable renditions of such songs as "I'm An Errand Boy for Rhythm," "Lady Be Good," "The Best Man," "Gee Baby Ain't I Good to You" and "Candy." Easily recommended to John Pizzarelli fans. ~Scott Yanow

My Blue Heaven mc
My Blue Heaven zippy

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Bobby Timmons - Born to Be Blue

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1963
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:08
Size: 96,7 MB
Art: Front

(4:30)  1. Born to Be Blue
(5:02)  2. Malice Towards None
(4:47)  3. Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child
(7:59)  4. Know Not One
(4:21)  5. The Sit-In
(6:07)  6. Namely You
(9:18)  7. Often Annie

Throughout his career, Bobby Timmons was typecast as a soulful and blues-oriented pianist due to his hits ("Moanin '," "This Here" and "Dis Dat"). But as he shows on this 1963 trio date (with either Sam Jones or Ron Carter on bass and drummer Connie Kay), Timmons was actually a well-rounded player when inspired. The repertoire on his CD ranges from bop to spirituals, from three diverse originals to "Born to Be Blue." This is excellent music but unfortunately Timmons would not grow much musically after this period. His CD is worth picking up. ~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/born-to-be-blue-mw0000522593

Personnel:  Bobby Timmons – piano;  Ron Carter (tracks 3, 4 & 6), Sam Jones (tracks 1, 2, 5, & 7) – bass;  Connie Kay - drums

Born to Be Blue

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Milt Jackson - In A New Setting

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:50
Size: 91.2 MB
Styles: Bop, Vibraphone jazz
Year: 1964/1999
Art: Front

[3:37] 1. Sonny's Blues
[3:32] 2. I'm Gonna Laugh You Right Out Of My Life
[3:17] 3. Spanish Fly
[3:25] 4. No Moon At All
[4:54] 5. Slow Death
[2:47] 6. Clay's Blues
[2:45] 7. Lazy Melody
[4:11] 8. Project S
[2:40] 9. Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye
[2:57] 10. That's In
[2:33] 11. Ineffable
[3:07] 12. The Other Half

Bass – Bob ; Drums – Connie Kay; Piano – McCoy Tyner; Tenor Saxophone – Jimmy Heath; Vibraphone – Milt Jackson.

Milt Jackson made a number of solo albums during his long tenure with the Modern Jazz Quartet, but this long unavailable release, finally reissued on CD, is one of his best as a leader. With young pianist McCoy Tyner and tenor saxophonist Jimmy Heath, Jackson puts together a great session, kicking off with his hard driving "Sonny's Blues." The leader's percussive but swinging style, plus the potent solos by Tyner and Heath, are all appealing. The only reservation about this CD is the deteriorated condition of the master tape from which it was made; it is rather noticeable on several tracks, though finding a mint copy of the original record is not a viable option for most collectors. Pick this one up in a heartbeat. ~Ken Dryden

In A New Setting

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Paul Desmond - Greatest Hits

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 54:19

Size: 124.3 MB

Styles: Saxophone jazz

Year: 1997/2008

Art: Front

[3:06] 1. Take Ten

[4:15] 2. I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face

[4:08] 3. Theme From Black Orpheus

[4:39] 4. Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo

[3:35] 5. Desmond Blue

[3:57] 6. Embarcadero

[5:47] 7. Polka Dots And Moonbeams

[5:48] 8. All The Things You Are

[3:21] 9. El Prince

[6:49] 10. Alone Together

[4:27] 11. A Taste Of Honey

[4:23] 12. O Gato

Bass – Gene Wright (tracks: 1,2,4,11,12), Gene Cherico (tracks: 3,6,7,9,10); Drums – Connie Kay (tracks: 1-4,6,7,9,10-12); Guitar – Jim Hall (tracks: 1-4,6,7,9,10-12); Saxophone – Paul Desmond (tracks: 1-4,6,7,9,10-12). Recorded between 1961 & 1965, this is a "greatest hits" CD, which collects stereo mixes of tracks from Paul Desmond's six early-1960s RCA albums.

Paul Desmond is widely recognized for his genius as a melodic improviser and as the benchmark of cool jazz sax players. His warm, elegant tone was one that he admittedly tried to make sound like a dry martini. He and Art Pepper were virtually the only alto players of their generation not directly influenced by Charlie Parker. Desmond was influenced by Lester Young, but took it further, into melodic and harmonic worlds never before traveled by reedmen especially in the upper registers. Desmond is best known for his years with the Dave Brubeck Quartet (1959-1967) and his well-known composition "Take Five." He met Brubeck in the late '40s and played with his Octet. The Quartet formed toward the end of 1950 and took final shape with Eugene Wright and Joe Morello a few years later. Jazz at Oberlin and Take Five were considered essential purchases by college students of the era, but Jazz Impressions of Japan was its most innovative recording. Desmond played his loping, slow, ordered, and intricate solos in direct contrast to the pianist's obsession with large chords, creating a myriad of textures for melodic and rhythmic counterpoint unlike any heard in jazz. His witty quotations from musicals, classical pieces, and folk songs were also a watermark of his artistry. When the Quartet split in 1967, Desmond began an intermittent yet satisfying recording career. It included dates with Gerry Mulligan for Verve, various sessions with Jim Hall, and a concert with the the Modern Jazz Quartet. He played his last gigs with the Brubeck Quartet at reunions before dying of lung cancer. Desmond's recordings for RCA have gotten box-set treatment and Mosaic issued one of the complete sessions with Hall.

Greatest Hits

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Lucky Thompson - Lucky Strikes

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1964
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:51
Size: 91,9 MB
Art: Front

(5:52)  1. In a Sentimental Mood
(4:04)  2. Fly With the Wind
(5:11)  3. Mid-Nite Oil
(4:07)  4. Reminiscent
(4:51)  5. Mumble Neua
(6:40)  6. I Forgot to Remember
(4:08)  7. Prey-Loot
(4:55)  8. Invitation

This CD reissue serves as a perfect introduction to the talents of the underrated saxophonist Lucky Thompson. Heard on four songs apiece on tenor and soprano (he was one of the first bop-oriented soprano players), Thompson plays two standards and six originals in a quartet with pianist Hank Jones, bassist Richard Davis, and drummer Connie Kay. The playing time on this straight reissue of an earlier LP is a bit brief (just over 38 minutes), but the quality is quite high. Thompson's soprano solos in particular are quite memorable. ~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/lucky-strikes-mw0000649753

Personnel: Lucky Thompson (soprano & tenor saxophones); Hank Jones (piano); Richard Davis (bass); Connie Kay (drums).

Lucky Strikes

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VA - The Soprano Summit In 1975 And More

Size: 150,3+183,9 MB
Time: 64:27+78:36
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2008
Styles: Jazz
Art: Front

CD 1:
01. Kenny Davern, Bob Wilber, Marty Grosz, George Duvivier, Connie Kay - Swing Parade ( 3:09)
02. Kenny Davern, Bob Wilber, Marty Grosz, George Duvivier, Connie Kay - The Mooche ( 6:41)
03. Kenny Davern, Bob Wilber, Marty Grosz, George Duvivier, Connie Kay - Oh Sister Ain't That Hot ( 6:11)
04. Kenny Davern, Bob Wilber, Marty Grosz, George Duvivier, Connie Kay - Steal Away ( 7:35)
05. Kenny Davern, Bob Wilber, Marty Grosz, George Duvivier, Connie Kay - Linger Awhile (10:50)
06. Kenny Davern, Bob Wilber, Marty Grosz, George Duvivier, Connie Kay - Panama ( 8:38)
07. Kenny Davern, Bob Wilber, Marty Grosz, George Duvivier, Connie Kay - Songs Of Songs ( 5:41)
08. Kenny Davern, Bob Wilber, Marty Grosz, George Duvivier, Connie Kay - Swing Thirty Nine ( 4:27)
09. Kenny Davern, Bob Wilber, Marty Grosz, George Duvivier, Connie Kay - Egyptian Fantasy ( 3:57)
10. Kenny Davern, Bob Wilber, Marty Grosz, George Duvivier, Connie Kay - The Fish Vendor ( 7:14)

CD 2:
01. Kenny Davern, Bob Wilber, Marty Grosz, George Duvivier, Connie Kay, Dick Hyman - Kansas City Stomp ( 3:22)
02. Kenny Davern, Bob Wilber, Marty Grosz, George Duvivier, Connie Kay, Dick Hyman - Original Jell Roll Blues ( 3:41)
03. Kenny Davern, Bob Wilber, Marty Grosz, George Duvivier, Connie Kay, Dick Hyman - Froggie Moore ( 3:41)
04. Kenny Davern, Bob Wilber, Marty Grosz, George Duvivier, Connie Kay, Dick Hyman - Shreveport Stomp ( 3:21)
05. Kenny Davern, Bob Wilber, Marty Grosz, George Duvivier, Connie Kay, Dick Hyman - Sidewalk Blues ( 3:12)
06. Kenny Davern, Dick Wellstood, Bob Rosengarden - C.C. Rider ( 5:40)
07. Kenny Davern, Dick Wellstood, Bob Rosengarden - Fidgety Feet ( 4:58)
08. Kenny Davern, Dick Wellstood, Bob Rosengarden - Sweet Substitute ( 6:37)
09. Kenny Davern, Dick Wellstood, Bob Rosengarden - Shim-Me-Sha Wabble ( 6:16)
10. Ruby Braff, Bob Wilber, Wayne Wright, George Duvivier, Fred Stoll - Sugar ( 5:11)
11. Ruby Braff, Bob Wilber, Wayne Wright, George Duvivier, Fred Stoll - When You're Smiling (The Whole World Smiles With You) ( 6:01)
12. Ruby Braff, Bob Wilber, Wayne Wright, George Duvivier, Fred Stoll - These Foolish Things (Remind Me Of You) ( 6:14)
13. Ruby Braff, Bob Wilber, Wayne Wright, George Duvivier, Fred Stoll - All Of Me ( 9:17)
14. Ruby Braff, Bob Wilber, Wayne Wright, George Duvivier, Fred Stoll - Fine And Mellow (10:58)

While clarinetist/soprano saxophonists Kenny Davern and Bob Wilber are of the generation that produced the first wave of bebop and hard bop players, both favor earlier jazz modes of small-group swing and New Orleans-inspired hot jazz. From 1972 to 1979, Davern and Wilbur co-led Soprano Summit, a hard-swinging quintet dedicated to pre-bop styles. Recorded live in 1975 and backed by simpatico fellow travelers Marty Grosz (acoustic guitar) and George Duvivier (bass) plus inspired guest Connie Kay (drummer for the MJQ), this Summit combo goes to town on New Orleans standards and Jelly Roll Morton gems. To fill out this double-disc set, there are fine live tracks by other small groups featuring Davern and Wilber (along with trombonist Dick Wellstood and cornetist Ruby Braff, no less). ~by Mark Keresman

The Soprano Summit In 1975 And More CD 1
The Soprano Summit In 1975 And More CD 2

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